Development of SPOT (Simple Performance-Oriented Test), a Japanese Language Test

SPOT（Simple Performance-Oriented Test）是由小林典子和丹羽淳子设计的一种新的测试工具，它可以简单、快速、准确地对不同水平的日语学习者进行测试。研究结果表明，SPOT是一种足够准确的学生定位方法。SPOT由一个以日语为母语的人阅读一系列完整的句子的录音带组成，被试在听录音的同时阅读答题纸上的相同句子。答题卡上的每句话都有一个空白，考生必须根据磁带填写。本研究的目的是：1）分析在不同情况下在几个机构进行的试验结果，结果表明SPOT的评分具有高度的可靠性。(The合作机构有50多个，不仅有日本的合作机构，还有美国、澳大利亚、韩国、印度尼西亚等国家的合作机构。2)SPOT似乎不适合测试语言知识的每一个离散点，或每一种语言技能的熟练程度，如阅读，听，写，说，但测试综合能力或自然速度加工能力是有效的。3）语音变异（持续时间，音高轮廓，在SPOT中读到的句子的清音或元音或辅音的弱化）与分数有很强的关系。研究表明，SPOT是通过测量日语学习者的自动加工能力来对日语学习者进行排名的。5）SPOT是考察日语学习者语法习得过程和结果的一个很好的工具。

SPOT (Simple Performance-Oriented Test) has been originally devised by Noriko Kobayashi and Junko Ford-Niwa as a new device that allows JSL(Japanese as a second language) learners at various levels to be placed simply, swiftly and accurately. The results of the research suggest that SPOT is a sufficiently accurate means to place students.SPOT consists of an audio taped recording of a native speaker reading a series of complete sentences, to which the testee listens while reading the same sentences in Japanese script on the answer sheet. Each sentence on the answer sheet contains a blank which the testee must fill in based on the tape. Each blank consists of a single hiragana character which represents all or part of a grammatical item.This research project has elucidated the following.1 )The results of trials at several institutions under different circumstances have been analyzed and the results show the score of the SPOT to be highly reliable. (The numbers of the co-operative institutions are more than 50, including not only those in Japan but also in USA, Australia, Korea, Indonesia, etc.)2) SPOT does not seem suitable for testing each discrete point of language knowledge, or the proficiency of each language skill such as reading, listening, writing and speaking, but is effective for testing integrated proficiency or processing ability in natural speed.3)The phonetic variations (duration, pitch contour, devoicing or weakening of vowels or consonants) of the sentences read in the SPOT have a strong relation with the score.4)The research suggests that SPOT ranks Japanese learners by measuring their automatic processing ability.5) SPOT would be a good instrument to investigate the process and outcome of grammar acquisition by Japanese Language learners.